DCC - Electrical | Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine

Home / DCC - Electrical

DCC - Electrical

An Invitation to Some Fun Clinics on Animation and Protoypes Cranes

Tue, 2015-08-11 15:53 — geoffb

I would like to extend a personal invitation to all interested modelers to my 4 presentations/clinics at the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) Convention being held in Portland, Oregon on Tues Aug 25 and repeated Thursday Aug 27 ( http://nmra2015.sbcrailway.ca/node/3232) on Scale Model Animation and prototype railroad cranes.

Weekend Project Part 3 - N-Scale Kato F7s with Sound Completed

Tue, 2015-08-11 05:24 — jmt99atsf

At the end of July, I showed the results of my first installation of a drop-in Digitrax SDN144K0a into an N-scale Kato F7A . The unit had a modified Aztec frame that accommodated a TTX 16mm speaker. This is also the same decoder that I had previously installed into an N-scale Kato E8A back in April.

DCC Basics

Wed, 2015-08-05 08:50 — jefflee

DCC - Electrical

Bruce,

Enjoyed your article in the latest MRH.

From experience I would also add that it is important to:

1. Use a simple "buzzer" connected to the track as you wire feeders to the Bus to alert for any incorrect connection.

2. Use a multimeter (or buzzer) to test any switches that are wired to isolate the frog. It is easy to cut the frog rails and isolate them but get some metal filings in the gap. Also it is an instant check that all the solder connections are solid.

IAIS's West End - My new favorite speaker

Tue, 2015-08-04 20:51 — IAISfan

I recently was reminded of Bill Brillinger's speaker comparison thread at http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/17902 and started investigating iPhone 4s loud speakers (long skinny one at the bottom of the phone, not the cube-shaped earpiece speaker), which are commonly available on Ebay for less than a dollar w/free shipping.

Jul 2015 Bonus - Decoder install in Athearn blue box loco

Mon, 2015-08-03 22:22 — TMTV

Roger Chrysler returns to the TrainMasters TV studio to demonstrate the installation of a DCC decoder in an Athearn "blue box" F7 locomotive, including a replacement LED headlight. This clinic is designed for beginner to intermediate hobbyists who might find a hard-wire install a bit intimidating. Follow Roger step-by-step as he shows us tips for reliable operation. Basic skills such as stripping wire, soldering and gluing are required.

DCC Impulses: Getting started in DCC

Weekend Project - Installing Sound Decoder into an N-Scale Kato F7A

Thu, 2015-07-30 09:57 — jmt99atsf

Just finished installing a Digitrax SDN144K0a into an N-scale Kato F7A. The engine frame was modified by Aztec Mfg so it has a machined slot in the rear to hold a round 16mm speaker from Tony's Train Exchange. The decoder comes with front and rear LEDs, a capacitor, and a 13mm speaker. Here are some pictures of the F7 disassembled and the machined opening for the speaker:

Layout Update: July 2015 - Main/Third Level DCC Testing Results

Mon, 2015-07-27 13:35 — jmt99atsf

I finally completed the wiring for the 4th power district on the main level/third level. This is the track that runs from Michaelson Jct. (aka Ottawa Jct., KS) both to the West Helix and on the branch line that runs over the top of the West Helix to the third level that has the cities of Michaelson (aka Ottawa, KS) and then to Elizabeth City, OK (aka Tulsa, OK).